Solvent-Dictated Sodium Sulfur Redox Reactions: Investigation of Carbonate and Ether Electrolytes

Huang Zhang, Thomas Diemant, Bingsheng Qin, Huihua Li, R. Jürgen Behm and Stefano Passerini
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Huang Zhang: Xi’an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE), Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU), 127 West Youyi Road, Xi’an 710072, Shaanxi, China
Thomas Diemant: Institute of Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 47, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
Bingsheng Qin: Helmholtz Institute Ulm, Helmholtzstraße 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
Huihua Li: Helmholtz Institute Ulm, Helmholtzstraße 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
R. Jürgen Behm: Helmholtz Institute Ulm, Helmholtzstraße 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
Stefano Passerini: Helmholtz Institute Ulm, Helmholtzstraße 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-12

Abstract: Sulfur-based cathode chemistries are essential for the development of high energy density alkali-ion batteries. Here, we elucidate the redox kinetics of sulfur confined on carbon nanotubes, comparing its performance in ether-based and carbonate-based electrolytes at room temperature. The solvent is found to play a key role for the electrochemical reactivity of the sulfur cathode in sodium–sulfur (Na–S) batteries. Ether-based electrolytes contribute to a more complete reduction of sulfur and enable a higher electrochemical reversibility. On the other hand, an irreversible solution-phase reaction is observed in carbonate solvents. This study clearly reveals the solvent-dependent Na–S reaction pathways in room temperature Na–S batteries and provides an insight into realizing their high energy potential, via electrolyte formulation design.

Keywords: sodium-sulfur; redox kinetics; carbonate; ether; electrolyte (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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